Big Buddy profiles
Oliver Jones
DOB: 22/3/83
Nationality: British
Qualification:
Batchelor in Drama
First Aid
I am a 25 year old English actor that considers myself to be a friendly, outgoing guy. Due to the nature of my work I am able to combine working with children around my acting schedule. I joined My Big Buddy in February 2007 and have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic children. I feel that my personality makes it easy for children to feel very comfortable with me almost instantly. I have found the casual after school & weekend play dates have really worked well for me, but I must be honest and say that the birthday parties are always the most fun!
Previous to being a Big Buddy I was regularly looking after children aged from 4-14. I have also completed numerous teaching work placements at primary schools and was a P/T Performing Arts Lecturer at The Colchester Institute. I combine my love of children with a professional acting career, spanning 3 years since I left drama school. Since then I have appeared on TV in Holby Blue, Judge John Deed and Foyles War and worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, at the Old Vic, Barbican and Royal Exchange.
Other interests of mine include outdoor sports, karaoke, horse riding, going to the gym and socializing with friends.
Simon London
DOB: 29/8/1982
Nationality: New Zealand/ British
Qualifications:
Batchelor in Drama
With an English background and passport, I recently moved to England from New Zealand where I was born, brought up and schooled. In New Zealand I spent my first ten years in the beautiful Akaroa, a seaside village located in the partially eroded crater of a volcano. Following this my family moved to the nearby city of Christchurch where I attended the Cathedral Grammar prep school and then went on to St Andrew’s College.
At a young age, as well as various sporting activities, I discovered the performing arts and soon got involved in the local scene. I have been working in NZ’s professional industry for the past seven years in both television and theatre. As well as my own performing I have been involved with drama workshops for young people. In my early acting years I also appeared in various ridiculous costumes, as storybook characters in children’s school holiday productions. My acting training has included an internship at Shakespeare’s Globe here in London and Shakespeare based study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. My acting work in England has so far been in television and short films, working on several occasions with child actors.
Passionate about travel and the outdoors, I have been relishing England’s comparatively close proximity to so many other countries, unlike “down under“. Since getting here last year I have dipped in and out of North Africa and Europe, most recently walking 900km across northern Spain.
Since returning to the UK I have spent many hours looking after my ten year old cousin Juliet and have discovered the rewards of spending time with youth. Since joining My Big Buddy he has gotten to join in the fun at birthday parties, been the ‘adult’ amongst the kids on the football field and enjoyed the excuse to go and see kid’s movies again.
Nick Jones
Nationality: British (Scottish)
DOB: 03/03/1982
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Drama
Personal Statement
I'm a 25 year old actor from Edinburgh, living in London. I'd describe myself as a sporty normal bloke who loves the finer things in life, ie. football, music, video games, and food!
For the past two summers I have cared for two American boys aged 3 1/2 and 18 months. I originally took the position thinking it would be good practice for when I become a dad, but grew to really love doing it. Using my acting training, and passion for sport to entertain, the kids responded well and quickly bonded with me. I am quite tall and strong and kids love that they can use me as a climbing frame and I can easily pick them up and spin them around. I am a sensible and mature person as well as fun and very energetic. I have been registered with My Big Buddy for over 12 months and through them I have worked with a number of different families during school holidays, after school and on weekends. I have looked after boys and girls ranging in ages up to 15, traveled with families and proxy parented.
Brendan Gilbert
Nationality: Australian
DOB: 03/05/1985
Qualification:
BA Teaching
Personal Statement
I am a twenty three year old active, energetic and enthusiastic person who has a passion for sports, enjoys traveling, going to concerts and treasures being with family and friends. My professional objective is to be the best possible teacher I can be, to have a positive influence on my pupil’s educational and social lives, and guide them through their schooling days in order for them to make the right decisions in the present and future.
I am only twenty three but have a great deal, and variety of experience in childcare and working with the youth through my sporting experiences. I started working with younger children at my former secondary school, St Patrick's College. While I was in year ten and eleven I coached year seven football, assisted the junior rowing coaches and was also a year seven camp leader. My roles of helping out the junior section of the school increased through year twelve. I took on the same roles from year eleven and more. In year twelve I was elected on the student representative council where I took charge of the sporting and educational areas. This involved working with members of all year levels to raise issues and solve problems on a weekly basis surrounding the sporting and educational sections. Being so involved with the younger generations through my senior schooling days gave me the desire and passion to become involved in education and pursue a career in teaching.
Through my four years at university my experience in childcare and working with the youth increased dramatically. As a studying teacher there were many classes that involved hands on experience with teaching the children. It was mandatory for me to complete a certain amount of teaching placements over an eighty day period, in different schools, which had different cultures, different values and beliefs. These placements gave me the necessary building blocks to help me develop my teaching skills and set me up to teach and work with the children as efficiently and effective as possible.
I decided to jump straight into the deep end when I finished university and come to London to teach and live my passion of traveling. For the majority of 2008 I have done day to day supply teaching in a variety of schools with vast ranging cultures and age groups from reception to year twelve students. From the age of sixteen to this present day I have learnt and developed important skills and values such as leadership and communication skills, and values such as honesty, loyalty, respect and excellence. These skills and values I have learnt through working with the younger generations make me an ideal role model for the youth to guide them down the right path into their futures.
Jimmy Nardella
Nationality: Australian
DOB: 19/01/1986
Qualifications:
Certificate in Outdoor Recreation
First Aid and Asthma
Personal Statement
My objective over next 2 years living and working in England is to gain as much life experience as possible working in the UK as it will allow me to further in my career when I return to Australia. For the past 4 years I have worked full time in a children’s holiday camp. I have been the camp co-ordinator for the past 2 years and responsible for all day to day running of the camp as well as supervision of the children and activities leader. A new group of up to 250 children arrive every three weeks and enjoy activities such as rock climbing, giant obstacle courses, canoeing and mountain biking. I am used to being in control of large groups of children, following stringent schedules and keeping activities interesting. I love being outdoors and keeping active.
I believe that I am a hard working, reliable employee who is willing to learn and develop quickly. I am very passionate about working with people, especially children. I have great leadership qualities and work well in a team environment. My interests include cricket, hiking, all water sports, rugby and football. I take a keen interest in passing on these skills to children and am patient when teaching them.
This is just a small selection of the Big Buddies we have available. Please contact the agency for Manny profiles, more Big Buddies and detailed personal profiles.